Method for Detecting Epileptic Seizures and Quantifying Seizure Intensity

Non-Exclusively Licensed

In exemplary implementations of this invention, sensor measurements are taken before, during and after an epileptiform seizure of a human. The sensors measure electrodermal activity (EDA) and heart rate variability (HRV) of the human.
The EDA and HRV measurements are used to assess sympathetic activity and parasympathetic activity, respectively. More particularly, in the case of HRV measurements, HF power is used to assess parasympathetic innervation of the heart. HF power is the power of the high frequency (e.g. 0.15 to 0.4 Hz) spectral component of the RRI signal.
One or more processors analyze the sensor data to calculate the magnitude of a post-ictal autonomic disturbance. Based on that calculated magnitude, the processors assess the severity of the seizure.
A wrist-worn sensor may take long-term, continuous EDA and motion measurements. The processors may analyze these measurements to detect the onset of a tonic-clonic seizure.

Researchers

Rosalind W Picard / Tobias Loddenkemper / Ming-Zher Poh

Departments: Program in Media Arts and Sciences
Technology Areas: Biomaterials & Bioelectronics: Health Monitoring / Biotechnology: Biomedical Devices & Systems, Sensors & Monitoring
Impact Areas: Healthy Living

  • methods and apparatus for assessment of atypical brain activity
    United States of America | Granted | 8,795,173

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